According to the flash report of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), the number of people in employment has been above the 4 million mark over the past fifteen months in Hungary.

In the period February-April 2015, the number of those in employment aged 15-74 years increased by 73 thousand year-on-year, to 4 million 141 thousand. This increase was mainly the result of private sector job growth, which reflects the impressive performance of the Hungarian economy. The unemployment rate continued to be below the EU average with 7.6 percent.

The employment rate of those aged 15-64 years increased to 62.8 percent, and employment indicators improved for both men and women. Among men aged 15-64 years, the number of those in employment was 2 million 219 thousand, while their respective employment rate improved by 1.6 percentage points to 68.7 percent. Women’s employment rate reached a record high: in February-April 2015 the indicator hit 57 percent for the first time since the current calculation method was introduced in 1992. Indicators such as the increase in the number of those in employment (38 200 for women, 33 700 for men), or the decline in the number of jobless people (15 200 for women, 3 400 for men) showed proportionally larger improvements in case of women.

Among those aged 15-24 years, 266 thousand people were employed, while their employment rate edged up by 1.2 percentage points to 24.1 percent.

In the observed period, the number of people out of work was 19 thousand lower compared to the level one year ago. Thus, the number of unemployed fell to 338 thousand, while the unemployment rate eased by 0.5 percentage points to 7.6 percent.

Recent excellent macro-economic data, the Job Protection Action Plan, the Government’s active employment programmes and the positive economic trend reversal of 2013 have all contributed to steady employment growth.

For detailed data please visit www.ksh.hu.

(Ministry for National Economy)